In an Ifop poll for Paris Match, Gérard Jugnot has just won the first place in the ranking of French favorite comics. A top that includes many of his friends from Splendid. Namely Thierry Lhermitte, in 2nd place, Josiane Balasko, in 4th, and Christian Clavier, in 6th place.
Three months after the disappearance of their friend, Michel Blanc, alias Jean-Claude Dusse in the “Tanned”the actor also has his place in the classification of the missing. He comes 4th, behind Coluche, Bourvil and Louis de Funès.
Gérard Jugnot still in mourning
For Gérard Jugnot, “he would surely have been even higher if he had been there”. And for good reason, he says, both between them and with the fans, his absence leaves an immense void. The star of Backing singers reports: “There is a big gap, because there was absolute collusion between us in the valve. We laughed less when we all met at the church for his funeral. Even if we tried to laugh about it a little.”
And added: “But what surprised me was, once again, the reaction of the public: we felt an immeasurable pain in France. How many times in the street people have offered me their condolences.”
Michel Blanc left tragically, just like the first in the ranking, Coluche, who died in a motorcycle accident. And Gérard Jugnot sees an obvious link there. That of the absurd.
The death of Michel Blanc makes him think of that of Coluche
Regarding his childhood friend, he specifies: “A scary allergy to an antibiotic happens once in a million. And it happened to him.” And to add: “It’s like Coluche when he left. Why this truck? Why didn't he wear a helmet to ride his motorcycle?”
Still inconsolable over the loss of Michel Blanc, he questions again: “Why did Michel take this medication? We don’t know”. Regarding the years spent with Michel Blanc, he also testifies: “It’s a bond strong enough to have lasted over time”.
And to conclude philosophically: “Life is wonderful, very strange and terrible at the same time. In fact, I think we shouldn't die.”
